I
was only 16 when I was hit by an intoxicated driver. I struggled to
breathe while my young co-worker was taken into an ambulance and
watched as the other driver argued with and fell over in front of the
police officer arresting him. As a relatively new driver, I had never
expected to get into an accident, let alone one that would total my
car and change my life forever. Thankfully, everyone involved in my
accident was okay, however, the trauma associated with the car
accident and putting my life at risk has made me cautious about my
own driving and that of those around me. This is an experience that
no driver, whether they are young or old, should encounter and it
needs to be given more awareness to help improve our society for the
better.
Thousands
of people are killed and injured due to distracted driving around the
country every year. This may be because of alcohol, cell phone use,
friends, or any other modern-day distraction that puts the lives of
drivers and passengers at risk, but it is an easily preventable
issue. Instead of pulling out your phone to text someone back or
check social media, just leave it in your center console where you
won’t feel tempted to use it. Also, if there is alcohol involved,
make sure there is a designated driver who will ensure your group’s
safety. Remind your friends and family to follow these simple steps
to driving safer and saving lives.
Since
my accident, I have made sure to put my phone away when I drive and
remind my friends and parents to do the same when I am in the car
with them. I also make sure that adults I know do not drive
intoxicated in any way, and always offer to be the designated driver
if it is needed. Small steps like these can help so many people if
we, as young drivers, start implementing them in our own lives and
encouraging them in our loved ones’.
Preventing
dangerous driving is less of a challenge than it is often made out to
seem, however, the lives of our family and friends are at risk daily
if this issue is not addressed. As drivers, we have the
responsibility of protecting our own lives, and the lives of our
passengers and other drivers on the road. This habit of dismissing
distracted driving needs to change and become something that people
actively work to change. Killing or seriously injuring a loved one or
a stranger is something we risk everyday driving, however, with a few
simple steps, we can change the way Americans drive and make daily
life significantly safer.